Belmont Celebrates Women’s History Month

March is Women’s History Month, and Belmont University is hosting several events throughout the month to address different issues relating to feminism and women in the 21st century.
“Women’s History month is a celebration of the multitude of contributions that women have made in society. It is also meant to foster awareness of the exclusion of women in the mainstream history of our culture,” said Dr. Shelby Longard, assistant professor of sociology. “In short, we spend one month in commemoration in order to bring consciousness of our exclusion from discourse in the other eleven of the year.”
All events are free and open to the public.
Mon., March 2, 10 a.m.Redefining Feminism: Equal Right’s Advocacy or Male Bashing?
Belmont sociologist Dr. Shelby Longard will discuss, “What does it mean to be a feminist in 2009?”Beaman A&B
Mon., March 2, 4:30 p.m.An Extraordinary Woman: Adelicia Acklen and Belle Monte
Dr. Brenda Jackson-Abernathy, from Belmont’s department of History, will analyzeAdelicia Acklen as a strong and determined businesswoman, casting aside the image of her as a frivolous and carefree 19th-century “Southern belle.”Belmont Mansion
Wed., March 4, 10 a.m.Women’s Stories in Science
Belmont professors Dr. Darlene Panvini (Biology) and Dr. Rachel Rigsby (Chemistry) will share their stories of how they got interested in science careers and their experiences as women in the sciences. Videoclips of other women scientists will be shown to broaden the discussion.HSB 408
Wed., March 4, 7 p.m.Film Series: The Piano
Dr. Caroline Wooldridge, from Belmont’s department of theatre and dance, will offer a viewing and discussion of Jane Campion’s film The Piano.LCVA 117
Tues., March 17, 5 p.m.Faith Ringgold’s Slave Rape Story Quilt: Ending the Silence
Dr. Viven Fryd, from Vanderbilt’s department of art and art history, will examine Faith Ringgold’s Slave Rape Story Quilt (1984-85) within the context of the anti-rape crisis movement of the 1970s and 1980s.LCVA 117
Wed., March 18, 7 p.m.Film Series: Girls Rock
Dr. Caroline Wooldridge, from Belmont’s department of theatre and dance, will show the documentary Girls Rock: The Movie and lead a discussion on the film.LCVA 117

Mon., March 23, 12 p.m.XX/XY: Women, Art and Feminism
Dr. Judy Bullington, from Belmont’s art department, will moderate the discussion as students in the seminar “Women Artists Throughout History” explore the topic of representations of women by male and female artists before and after the feminist movement.LCVA 117
Wed., March 25, 7 p.m.Film Series: Monster
Dr. Caroline Wooldridge, from Belmont’s department of theatre and dance, will offer a showing and discussion of the Patty Jenkins’ film Monster.LCVA 117
Thurs., March 26, 11 a.m.Reading from Trespassers Will Be Baptized: Unordained Memoir of a Preacher’s Daughter
Elizabeth Emerson Hancock will read from her new book Trespassers Will Be Baptized: The Unordained Memoir of a Preacher’s Daughter, hailed by Publisher’s Weekly as “a true gem of a memoir.”Neely Dining Room
Mon., March 30, 10 a.m.What’s I Got to Do With It: How Sharing Our Stories Shapes Our Lives
Dr. Amy Hodges-Hamilton, from Belmont’s department of English, will lead the way as four students from “Writing in the Community” share their experiences as both women and writers, as well as explore the power of raising women’s voices through storytelling.Beaman A&B
Tues., March 31, 7 p.m.Women Looking Up: Uplifting Scientists Who Study the Heavens and the Earth
Dr. Jennifer Wiseman, chief of the ExoPlanets and Stellar Astrophysics Laboratory in the Astrophysics Science Division at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, will explore the role of women scientists in the field of astronomy.Vince Gill Room